Our August Summer Sale is going strong! And this year, it’s open to EVERYONE! In the past, this sale has been by private invitation only, but we decided that we wanted to extend the love to everyone. Shop with us between now and August 25th and enjoy 20% savings on special orders and 25% savings on in-stock purchases! Of course, a small handful of exclusions do apply, but not many!

The deals are good at both SummerHouse locations, so stop in and see us soon! We can’t wait to help you design the room(s) of your dreams!

We are so excited to share this newly photographed project with y’all today! Designer Elish Moon has worked diligently with this client and has turned this house into a stunning home. We love the simplicity and style. It could not be more welcoming! Take a look around… 🙂

So pretty, Elish! We love all the beautiful detail. Especially in that last shot! 😉

Thank y’all for stopping in today! We hope you’re having an excellent week!

Boy do we have some big news to share with y’all! In case you haven’t seen us mention it on our Instagram or Facebook over the past couple of weeks, we are teaming up with our friends at Noggins Organic Salon to put on a MAJOR runway event on July 19th! This event is going to be spectacular…

Our theme is A Midsummer Night, and it is going to be simply magical. But first, allow us to give you the basics!

Our friends at Noggins approached us asking if we’d be interested in partnering on a runway show. Of course we said yes! At our first meeting, we determined a theme: A Midsummer Night. Think flowers, fairy wings, organic style, lots of white, lots of natural, magic, glitter, delicate desserts, champagne, whimsy… With a bit of an avant-garde twist in the form of lots and lots of JEWELS.

Without giving too much away, we are putting all of this on with the participation of several local boutiques and shops. This runway show will not only appeal to women, but to men and children as well, as we will have styles for the entire family represented on the catwalk! Row 10 Baby, Hemline, Blithe & Vine, 4450, The Rogue, Sollberger’s, Beckham Jewelry, and Albrition’s Jewelry will present the looks. (Be sure you go and follow all of these businesses on Instagram– their accounts are linked above!– to keep up with all the fun!) Noggins Salon will do models’ hair and Galexie Glister will finish off the makeup looks.

Little Bluestem Farm will lend their floral talents and La Brioche is providing dainty desserts to make this event over the top beautiful. Y’all, we. cannot. WAIT.

Perhaps the most important thing about this evening is that all proceeds go to our friends at CARA (Community Animal Rescue and Adoption.) We love the work that this shelter does in keeping pets of all kinds safe and healthy until they find their forever homes. Did you know that CARA runs solely on donations?! They absolutely cannot keep doing their work without community support, so we are asking that each guest give a minimum $15 donation at the door. This donation will get you one entry into a raffle drawing for several INCREDIBLE prizes: Gift cards to Arco Avenue, salon services from Noggins, services from SummerHouse, jewelry, a whitening treatment from Uptown Dental, and SO much more! Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase at $10 each. Again, all money goes to CARA!

(pictured above: our inspirational mood board for the event)

We will end with this piece of excitement: The first 20 guests to enter A Midsummer Night’s Runway Event will be gifted an incredible swag bag. Y’all will not believe the incredible donations that have been given to these swag bags! We won’t ruin the surprise, but we will tell you this: YOU WILL WANT ONE.

Start picking out your “summer fairy best” and make plans to join us at SummerHouse on July 19th at 7 p.m. for an event unlike any other to ever hit our area! Be sure to join the Facebook event to keep updated on all event news. We can’t wait to see you!

“Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream.” -A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 4, Scene 1

If there is one thing we hear often as designers, it is about the difficulty of styling a coffee table. This is in fact a difficult feat if you don’t know what you’re doing! So we are here to help 🙂

We asked each of our designers to take their favorite coffee table on our showroom floors, clear it completely off, and style it as if it was their own. We feel very inspired by the tables they put together, and we picked up some helpful tips along the way! Have a look at each of their styles, then keep reading for a handful of style tricks and tips.

Be sure to vary the heights of the accessories you add. This adds an incredible amount of interest.

Mixing old/rustic with modern/new can be fun, if this is in keeping with the style of the rest of the room.

Pick a simple color story and stick to it.

Add interest with a metallic accessory.

When in doubt, coffee table books.

Trays and boxes add organization, layering, and function. If your coffee table is an upholstered piece, a tray can also serve as a place to set a drink.

Is your coffee table in a room where guests tend to gather? Add a game, or a decanter and cocktail glasses, or an conversation piece from your recent travels. Let your coffee table make your job as a host just a little bit easier!

Here are a few more pretty shots from these styled tables. We hope you find some good inspiration! And please do not hesitate to call a designer for help! That is what we do! 😉

SummerHouse Oxford Interior Designer Laurie Conway recently completed a beautiful install that we are dying to tell you more about! You may recall seeing a photo or two of this room on social media, but today we’re giving you all the details! Laurie was kind enough to answer a few questions we had about this project, so let’s see what she has to say…

What pieces did the client already have that you worked around?

This client had moved from Memphis and had done a lot in her home herself. She came to me and said, “I need help… I have no idea what to do with this room.” She had a few antique pieces in the room but we decided to relocate them in the house and start new so it was a clean slate. The shape of the room, however, was a huge challenge. She had fabulous natural light but the room had so many openings that space planning was more difficult.

What was your basis for the colors used in the room?

I started with the rug. The size was just perfect! I pulled the soft blues and neutrals from it for my color palette. The natural light helped me keep the room clean and airy. I wanted to ground the wall opposite of the fireplace with something to balance it, which is where we introduced a darker element.

What did you enjoy most about this particular project?

I loved the clients! It is so great when you and your client can visualize together. They are great art lovers so it was so much fun to help them find great pieces. The two gold pieces over the chairs flanking the secretary are from View Gallery.

What else do we need to know about this room?!

Because this room is used to pass through to other rooms, the furniture had to be strategically placed. I went with a symmetrical layout. And as I mentioned before, I chose a light palette and balanced the wall across from the fireplace with the Secretary in a darker finish. We were so pleased with the turnout.

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We love it, Laurie! Great colors and beautiful selections. Couldn’t be prettier!

We are SO thrilled to have a new project by Interior Designer Lindsey Townsend up on our project site! This project, called Stone Lake, is a beautiful home that Lindsey has worked on since the very beginning stages. If you follow her on Instagram, you might remember seeing progress photos from this project.

Here are a few of our favorite snaps from this home. Now that it is completed, it could not be any more perfect. We love every detail!

We are so excited to introduce y’all to our fabulous summer intern at SummerHouse | Oxford today! Her name is Laura Ellis Royal (Laura Ellis is a double name) and she is just about the cutest thing in the world! Not only is she adorable, but she’s smart, is getting us extremely organized, and helping so much with presentations and deliveries. We love Laura Ellis and we think you will too! Get to know her with a little Q&A…

Tell us about yourself! Where you’re from, where you go to school, about your major… All that fun stuff!

One could say that I grew up in three towns without moving. I was raised on a farm in Midnight, went to church in Belzoni and went to school in Yazoo City. Now I go to Ole Miss and my major is Integrated Marketing Communications, better known as IMC. IMC prepares students in areas of advertising, social media, sales promotion, graphic design, public relations, etc. –all to create a consistent message to consumers.

What is your favorite thing about SummerHouse?

My favorite thing about SummerHouse is of course the furniture and all-around style, but I also love the ladies that work there. They have been so kind in taking me in as one of their own and stepping back for a moment to teach me various things.

Is there any piece on the showroom floor that you would take home tomorrow if you could?

There’s a light pink linen settee and an oatmeal sofa that I really like. But if I had to choose just one, I would choose the settee.

What is the most exciting thing you’ve done in the past 365 days?

Last August I went to my first John Mayer concert, and it was pretty life changing. He is even better live than on the tracks. I highly recommend going to a John Mayer concert if you have never been to one.

What is your favorite place to eat in Oxford?

My favorite restaurant definitely depends on the meal. When I’m not found eating at the sorority house, I enjoy McEwen’s or Proud Larry’s for Sunday brunch and El Agave when in the mood for some good Mexican food. Also, Jinsei and Saint Leo are great for a nice dinner with the girlfriends while keeping within the college budget.

How long would you say you’ve been interested in Interior Design?

I have loved design ever since I was a little girl. I remember drawing my dream home, measuring all the furniture and ceilings at my house for fun, and rearranging my bedroom often. Interior Design felt like just a farfetched dream until my sophomore year of college, when I spent my spring break at a luxury staging and interior design company in Greenwich, Connecticut. There I began to realize I really might want to be part of this world of interiors.

What is the best movie you’ve seen lately and why?

I recently watched a Woody Allen film called Café Society, and it was so good I had to watch it again. The music, interiors, fashion and scenery just swept me off my feet.

If you could travel anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go and why?

If I could go anywhere in the world for a week, assuming I’ll have all the money in the world in this beautiful fantasy, I would visit Monaco or Paris and the south of France. Monaco has intrigued me ever since I first watched a documentary on Grace Kelly, called Grace of Monaco. Paris is somewhere I have been before but I really need to go back. Parisian architecture takes my breath away, as well as classic French interiors (not Baroque). And if I’m already in France, I might as well go antiquing, right? And then of course visit a few vineyards and the French Riviera.

Where have you been recently where you found yourself most inspired by the design around you? Tell us about this place!

In January I had the privilege of going on a short trip to Manhattan. There I discovered the grandeur of the ceilings and chandeliers of Grand Central Station. Manhattan in general is an unbelievable place to me, and I’ve always dreamed of living there. There’s something really romantic to me about New York City amidst its busy culture. More locally, in the Lyceum at Ole Miss, the Zuber Views of North America woodblock wallpaper never fails to impress me. Sometimes I sit in the Zuber room between classes just to admire it.

How do you take your caffeine?

I hardly ever drink caffeine! When I do, it’s in the afternoon and it’s hot tea, sweet tea, or Coke.

What else do we need to know about you?!

I like a little bit of every interior style, but my favorite is Traditional French. I also have a deep appreciation of fine antiques no matter their movement or period. Here I will say I don’t believe in decorative plates, but I respect those who do.

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Thank you so much Laura Ellis! Love it all! Y’all be sure to stop by and meet her next time you’re close to SummerHouse | Oxford.

“That’s the thing about Mississippi, everything we do has a story behind it.”

We adore this quote from our lead designer Lisa Palmer, which came from the write up in the current issue of Milieu Magazine (pinch us!!! Dream come true!) about the cabin she designed for some dear, dear friends of SummerHouse. This cabin has a rich, deep story, which is told in the pages of this issue of Milieu. We encourage you to stop by your favorite magazine stand and pick up a copy of this stunning issue. You will not be disappointed by the photos and the article about Mississippi Pearl. Here’s a peek at what you have to look forward to.

We are confident you’ll enjoy not only this feature, but every page of this issue. We love Milieu!

Thank you for stopping in today. Means so much to us! We hope you’re having a great week!

Our Oxford showroom is looking better than ever with lots of new arrivals! If you haven’t been by in person lately, we highly encourage you to make a stop in next time you’re in Oxford. We promise you will not be sorry! Furniture, original art, gifts, accessories, lighting, and so much more await you!

Have a quick look around to see what you can get excited about seeing next time you go in…

In addition to all of the fabulous items you see in these photos, we offer incredible design services! Our staff of trained interior designers know how to work within budgets, on projects of any scale, and love helping turn houses into homes. Stop in or give our Oxford shop a call to discuss your interior design needs!

Well, as always, mama was right. And she wasn’t just talking about when you meet someone. She also meant when it comes to your home! Making a positive, warm first impression on a guest in your home is of the utmost importance. Even if your entryway isn’t grandiose or filled with collectors’ pieces from around the globe, it still speaks volumes. Let your entry speak for you, telling your guests to make themselves at home. You just tend to the hugs, handshakes, and showing everyone in to where the party is!

Here are some of our favorite entries, all created by SummerHouse designers. Some big, some small, but all welcoming. And all making mama proud by making a fantastic first impression 😉

What is the most inviting thing for you to see when you enter a home? We’d love to hear!

We are so proud of SummerHouse | Ridgeland Interior Designer Lindsey Townsend for the recent project she had published in Mississippi Magazine! This project, located in the Lost Rabbit development of Madison, MS, is one of our all-time favorites, so to see it on some glossy pages is such a thrill! Lindsey did an immaculate job of designing every detail, and we could not be more in love with this home.

Be sure to pick up a copy of Mississippi Magazine to read the full write up on the home ++ PLUS ++ catch a designer feature on Lindsey earlier in the magazine! You won’t be disappointed! 😉

Today, we’re talking about using bold blues in design! Although we do love a soft, muted blue, today is dedicated to the loud, strong, personality-filled blues that really add some statement to a space! We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite uses of big, bold blues in design. We think you’ll love what we’ve found!

B L U E W A L L S

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Lisa Palmer

B L U E U P H O L S T E R Y

design by Lindsey Townsend

design by Lindsey Townsend

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Lisa Palmer

B L U E A R T

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Lisa Palmer

SummerHouse Oxford showroom

B L U E D R A P E R Y

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Lisa Palmer

B L U E A C C E N T S & A C C E S S O R I E S

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Laurie Conway

design by Lisa Palmer

design by Elish Moon

How do you feel about a big, loud blue? We’d love to hear! And, as with all design decisions, you will want to consult a professional designer about your decisions! (Which is what we are here for!)

Thank you for reading today. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on bold blues!

We are so excited to share that one of Lisa’s projects has been featured in Southern Home magazine! We adore this publication and think the world of every single home they publish. So as you can imagine, it was such an honor for them to select one of Lisa’s projects as a feature! This issue is still on stands, so we’ll give you a sneak peek of what you’ll see, but we can’t give away ALL of the feature– Stop by our shop, your nearest Barnes & Noble, OR this site to grab a copy for yourself! We know you’re going to love every single detail!

If you’ve seen the issue, what did you think?! We would love to hear your feedback!

Also, somewhat related: We have gotten several questions about paint colors for the walls in this house. See THIS POST for our paint color FAQs and get those questions answered! 😉

We all know that a healthy breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It helps get our bodies functioning in the most healthful way, giving us energy, a clear mind, and an elevated mood. But have you ever thought about what an impact your breakfast environment can have on your day? Eating in a beautiful setting only enhances the effects of a healthy, balanced breakfast, further elevating our moods and mental clarity.

Our designers always ask our clients how they want their homes to make them feel. Almost always, the answers are either “happy” or “cozy” or “calm and relaxed.” When we deliver happy, calm, cozy, relaxed environments for our clients, it can only help their mental states!

Here is a roundup of beautiful, peaceful, happy breakfast environments that are the perfect compliments to a well-balanced first meal!

Where is your favorite place to have a calm, relaxing breakfast? We would love to hear!

There is a brand new magazine out in Mississippi called VERVE, and one of Lisa’s projects landed on the cover of the current issue! Having one of our designers’ projects featured is always such an honor, especially when it winds up on the cover of the publication!

This space was designed by our leading lady Lisa Palmer. It was a complete and total transformation, as this client started with an entirely blank slate. “The first time I went to this client’s house, he had one rug and four or five pieces of furniture. That was it!”

Lisa took his empty house and made it a rich, cozy, masculine home. Neither Lisa nor her client could have been more pleased with the result!

To read more about this project, plus to find out more about the spring design trends that we are extra excited to see popping up, grab a copy of VERVE whenever you see one!

We’ve added a brand new home to our project site, and it could not be more beautiful! This Oxford abode, designed by Lisa Palmer, is crisp, comfortable, and chic. Here are a few photos of the beautiful home. See ALL of the photos here!

Our Oxford showroom sure is looking extra pretty these days! Although some of this art work has already made its way back to VIEW GALLERY in Jackson, we still think you’ll be ultra inspired by what you see! Be sure to stop in and see us next time you’re on The Square!

Feel free to ask us any questions about anything you see! Or better yet, go check it all out for yourself in person (plus lots more!) 🙂

For more SummerHouse | Oxford love, be sure to follow them on instagram! Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope you’re having an amazing day! XO!

It’s time for another round of paint color favorites! With the arrival of Spring, beach trip plans in the works, and warmer weather settling in, we can’t help but be inspired by soft shades of blue! We asked our staff what their favorite blues were, and we got a great response!

Interior Designer Katherine Shelton likes Iceberg by Benjamin Moore. “This is a great go-to for a pale blue paint color. It looks good in a master bedroom, nursery, or bathroom. In fact, you could really use it anywhere in your home.”

Social Media Director Laurel Donahoo’s pick is Benjamin Moore Palest Pistachio. “We used this is my daughter’s room and it’s the happiest neutral. It has the perfect understated hint of greenish blue.”

Interior Designer Elish Moon’s pick is Benjamin Moore’s Arctic Gray. “If I’m ever unsure of a color I haven’t used before, choosing a “color” with a gray undertone is usually a safe bet. It helps ground a color and creates a more soothing tone. Benjamin Moore’s Arctic Gray is a beautiful soft blue with just a hint of gray.”

So there you have it! Our favorite soft blues! Have you ever used any of these?

Do keep in mind that paint colors can be a little difficult if you aren’t trained in picking them out. So many factors determine how a color ends up working on a wall, so if you are ever in doubt, it’s always a good idea to hire a designer to help you. Making a small investment into design time on the front end can save time, headache, and definitely money on the back end!

Our designers would love to help you select the perfect paint colors for your space. Give us a call today!

We have a new face on our design team that we are so excited to introduce to y’all! Meet Jordan Carter, our newest interior design assistant! This girl is smart, organized, and super fun! So naturally, she fits right in up here 😉

We think you’ll enjoy getting to know Jordan as much as we have! Here’s our traditional Q&A with the newbie… 🙂

1. Tell us about yourself!

I feel blessed to have grown up in Daphne, Alabama, on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. I loved growing up on the water and experiencing the scenic Alabama outdoors with family and friends.

I earned my degree in architecture from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and have worked in that field for five years. I recently decided to transition to interior design, and I am excited to begin this new chapter!

My husband and I moved to Jackson last year for his residency at UMMC. We have enjoyed getting acquainted with our new city and making our lovely house a home.

2. Tell us a little about how you became interested in design! Did you always know you loved design, or did you discover your interest some other way?

I have always known that I was interested in design. I remember my father and me touring houses that were under construction and I would tell him all about my design strategies. I would explain what each room would be and show him the way I would lay each room out.

3. What was your first impression of SummerHouse?

My first impression of SummerHouse was the charm. From the sweet southern women to the beautiful design of the showroom floor, I was immediately drawn to it all. To say I am excited to be working at SummerHouse is an understatement!

4. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Feel free to let us in on a snippet of your early bird or night owl routine! 🙂

I feel like I get asked this question a lot and I have decided that I am neither an early bird nor a night owl. I don’t drink coffee (Weird, I know.) so it takes me a little bit of time to wake up in mornings and I don’t like staying up too late. I am more of a middle of the day person so this job is perfect for me!

5. What is your favorite source of visual/design inspiration?

My favorite source of design inspiration is Instagram. A daily source of new, stylish designs are literally at your fingertips. The designers and brands you can follow are endless. I always find myself scrolling through Instagram when I have a minute of time to spare and bookmarking my favorite designs.

6. We’ve noticed you have great style! Where do you like to shop?

My favorite place to shop is in my mother’s closet! She has such great style and has dressed me my entire life. She has spoiled me so much that I don’t even like shopping without her. When I am in need of new clothes, Ann Taylor Loft is a go to since they have petite sizes for my 5’-2” frame.

7. If you could eat anything in the world for supper tonight, what would you eat?!

My favorite meal on earth has to be surf and turf. A filet mignon with a lobster tail on top is mouth watering good. There is nothing better than a meal from the land and sea!

We’ve recently added a brand new project to our design site: St. Andrews Condo designed by Katherine Shelton! This lovely project was completed last fall, and is absolutely stunning! We love the simple color palette, the modern overall aesthetic… Really, we love ALL of Katherine’s choices! 🙂

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MEET OUR EDITOR

Hi! My name is Laurel Donahoo and I'm the editor for Always Summer! I have been on the SummerHouse team since 2007 and have loved every minute of it! My southern roots, love of design, and appreciation for the talent of my incredible coworkers makes managing this blog one of my most favorite things to do! When I'm not blogging, I like spending time at home with my husband, kids, and pups or cooking, taking weekend trips, or planning my next design project for my own home!

Feel free to E-mail me with any blog questions, comments, ideas, or collaboration pitches! Thank you so much for stopping by today!

No matter what size your project is, or where in the U.S. you live, we can help make your design dreams reality! Give a SummerHouse Interior Designer a call and get one step closer to creating a more beautiful home! pic.twitter.com/iGMjl9VHE0